Book: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
This is a classic coming-of-age novel about a young girl living in the tenements of Brooklyn. The story is set at the turn of the century (1902-1919) and contains many historical elements of that time period. However, it has a message that transcends the ages. The first part of the book was slow moving and hard to get through, but I was hooked after I got over that hurdle. I came to love the main character, Francie Nolan. She is one of those characters that you remember long after you’ve finished the book. Betty Smith writes in a way that you live life with Francie and I felt like I was transported to the streets of Brooklyn while reading. I loved this classic and would highly recommend it.
Book: GileadThis is not a book that I would have picked out on my own. I read about it on a blog that I follow, so when I found it at a local thrift store I immediately bought it. It is a fictional autobiography of a minister living in Iowa during the 1950s. The preacher is in his mid-seventies and writes to his son a collection of thoughts and memories in the form of journal entries. It truly is a father’s dedication of love to his son. He covers topics like faith, love, jealousy, etc. in a contemplative yet simple way. There are no chapters and the storyline moves slowly. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it.
Book: Like Water for Chocolate
This story takes place in turn-of-the-century Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. Tita De la Garza is the youngest daughter of a well-known rancher and is destined to remain single in order to care for her aging mother. The plot heightens as she falls in love with a man who is forced to marry her older sister. The story became stranger with each chapter as it incorporated more and more fantasy. It seemed like a mystical soap opera. I wanted to like this acclaimed classic, but I struggled to connect. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Book: The Glass Castle
Jeannette Walls recounts the very unconventional way that she was raised in this memoir. Her father was brilliant and energetic, but was also an alcoholic. Her mother didn’t want to be responsible for her children, and devoted most of her time to her art. They lived like nomads in the southwestern desert towns, and would move on to a new town whenever bill collectors came or a problem arose. She tells shocking stories of fires, hunger, injuries, cold, neglect, and taunts from her peers that she faced along with her siblings while growing up. There were a few times while reading that I had to remind myself that this was real and not fiction! She tells her story without an ounce of pity in tone. I was captivated from the first page and would highly recommend this memoir.
Book: Bloom
Kelle Hampton was ecstatic about the birth of her second child. She had everything planned to welcome her second baby girl in the world, so she was shocked to the core when her daughter, Nella, was born with down syndrome. In this memoir, Kelle recounts how she worked through her initial grief and denial to acceptance. I was in tears as she told the story of Nella’s birth. She is completely honest and doesn’t gloss over anything to make it sound better. The memoir shows her progression from a heartbroken mama to a mama utterly in love with her baby girl. Kelle is a passionate writer and I felt like she captured every detail perfectly. Also, this is one of the most beautifully designed books I’ve ever read. She included photographs all throughout the book. I would recommend this one. {Check out Kelle’s blog here.}
What have you read this month?
